As soon as i turn the camera on, the lens goes out, then retracts and does this several times. sometimes it makes an unusual elctronic/mechanical sound. it stops retracting and sending out the lens after about the 3rd or 4th time, the screen then says "lens error". from here i can not do anything but turn the camera off. how can this be fixed?
this is a nikon coolpix s550

Answers :

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move. Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on. Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes. Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

Tips for a great answer:

- Provide details, support with references or personal experience .
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box .
- It's 100% free, no registration required.

Suggested Questions/Answers :

Lens Error I fell while holding my camera. The lens was open at the time and when I got up I turned the camera off. I then turned it back on to check it and the lens opened and immediately closed with the "lens error" on the screen. I can turn it off and on and the lens will always open but closes as soon as it has opened with the lens error on the screen. The shutter opens but closes also, like the lens. Can this be fixed? It was a gift so I don't have the bill of sale but I still have the orig

This is probably THE most common failure among digital cameras. There's a halfway chance of fixing it yourself, described here: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html ...
Nikon COOLPIX L4 Digital Camera

Lens error when i go to turn on my camera it says "lens error" on the screen and wont turn on
Lens is 'stuck' open. I get a 'lens error' and a grinding sound...then the camera turns itself off

My Nikon coolpix S10 camera was dropped and now the screen only says "lens error". If it is not touched the function returns to normal (has done so twice), but now the screen only say that one message and you can't turn it off or do anything). When it was turned off again and then turned on after a series of clicking noise the screen only said "lens error" and does not allow any other options(even turning off). Any helpful ideas would be apprecited. Thank you!

Hi,try this out it worked for most of them who had a similar problem like urs:Gently tap it twice at the end of the camera to ur plam and it will work again.just tap it very lightly against the bottom of the camera holdi ...
Digital Cameras

Lens Error! We have a Nikon Coolpix S6. When attempting to turn on, the camera buzzes. Afterward, the screen shows what the lens is pointing at, but then it goes white and the words, "Lens Error" appears. I can't find the manual to pinpoint the problem. Also, when the camera is turned off, the lens cover stays open, and only goes back when the bateries are taken out and put back in.
Please help quickly, this is a school camera, and it is needed for a large scale progect. (yearbook). We h

I know this is really late, but I've been having the same problem with the S6 on and off for the whole year, and I suspected a loose part.\015\012\015\012For a whole week, I couldn't turn on my camera, and the lens cap doesn't close until five minute ...
Nikon COOLPIX S6 Digital Camera

Hi,
I have Nikon P90. From last week i am facing following problem.
Whenever i switch on my camera for taking pic, everything starts but i get message on the screen " Lens Error (If lens cap is attached,turn the camera off, remove the lens cap,and the turn the camera on)
The above error message is their despite i opend the shutter of the lens.
Kindly help me to know the above problem.

Just purchased an powershot SX1 IS. I took one photo, zoomed in on it to see how clear the zoom was once taken a photo. THen it switched itself of with the lens still out. Now when turning it on it has a black screen and say lens error...restart camera. I have tried holding func. when turning on the camera and the time comes up on the screen. But as soon as I let go of func I get the error msg.

Hello if you just purchased this unit Then i advise you to take it back, this sounds like a system control issue or main board problem. Holding the function key while turning is factory reset, if this is not working right them the camera has a bad sy ...
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Digital Camera

When turned on screen reads "lens error" and the camera struggles to open the lens. It won't open the screen says error and only way to turn off camera is to pull the battery out.

Does the lens seem stuck, does it not extend or retract properly? Try to unstick the lens by gently pushing it in or pulling it out a little bit. IF that fails, the gears are too misaligned to repair it without opening it. ...
Nikon Coolpix S210 Digital Camera

Lens problems I am deployed and I sent my camera to my wife and she has managed to
brake it, I was hoping to get some help on this problem: When off, the
camera lens is in the position as if it were being used. When turning
the Canon Camera Powershot A530 on, the Canon logo screen comes on as
it should. Following the blue logo screen is 2-3 rapid beeps made by
the camera and a black screen is shown with the words, "Lens error,
restart camera". Immediately after showing this screen for five

Lens Error Once I turn on my camera, I get the regular screen mode and before I can take a picture it says lens error and turns off the camera. The lens comes out all the way once turned on and retracts once it shuts down.

Lens error When I turned on the camera it had on the screen Lens error and was vibrating when it turned on. The only way I could shut off the camera was to take out the battery. After a few hours, the camera is now working. But, I do not want this to happen again. Why did I get that error?

HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional. ...
Nikon COOLPIX S10 Digital Camera

My Canon PowerShot SD850 IS has a lens that is stuck in the extended position. I get a screen that says lens error, restart camera, but when I try to connect to the software, I get a screen on the computer telling me the computer cannot detect the camera. Battery is freshly charged, and I get the little yellow bird picture on the camera when I turn it on. It beeps about 4 times, and then turns off. Is there a safe way to get the lens to retract?

Don't play around with that lens, you can do more damage to the camera and focus with some of the stuff people tell you to try. Your camera just needs to be serviced and you'll be working great again. The shop that specializes in service for the powe ...
Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Camera

I have a canon ixus 900Ti. I turned it on yesterday and the lens came out as normal. when i went to take a pic the camera shut off but the lense never retracted. when i turned the camera back on the splash screen came on, followed by a series of beeps and then and error message saying "lens error, restart camera". restarting has not solved the problem. its like the lens is stuck out.
hope you can help
Regards
Liam

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or ...
Digital Cameras

WHEN I TURN ON MY COOL PIX S51 A LENS ERROR MESSAGE COMES ON THE SCREEN AND DOESNT ALLOW AN OTHER FUNCTION WITH THE CAMERA. THE LENS COVER IS STUCK OPEN WHEN THE MASSAGE IS DISPLAYED. IF I TURN THE CAMERA ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES THE COVER WILL CLOSE BUT THE ERROR MASSAGE REMAINS. IM NOT SURE WHY THIS HAPPENS AND IVE NEVER DROPPED MY CAMERA AND ITS ALWAYS STORED IN A FOAM CASE. I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAMERA RIGHT NOW, IS THERE ANY SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM?

HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that ...
Nikon COOLPIX S51 Digital Camera

Lens error when i turn off my camera, the lens fails to retract and i get a screen that says, lens error, restart camera. Can anyone explain this. When i try to turn cmera off/on the lens remains extended. It does take pictures.

On Fathers Day, 2006, I received a Canon PowerShot SD700 IS, and it has served me well. Just before Father's Day, 2012, my young son dropped my precious PowerShot on its lens onto a wood floor, causing the smallest ring at the end of the lens assemb ...
Canon PowerShot SD700 IS Digital ELPH / IXUS 800 Digital Camera

My camera worked fine one day, then it was in my purse. When I went to use it the light was on and the screen said there was a lens error. Everytime I try to turn it on now it makes a grinding noise and refuses to open and then closes completely with the lens error reading For no reason my camera (Nikon coolpix model S210) doesn't want to work with the term "Lens error" and lens won't come out
WELL YESTERDAY MY NIKON COOLPIX s210 DIGITAL CAMERA WAS WORKING PERFECTLY FINE THEM I GOT UP TO TAKE P

\012\012try these:-\012\012\012connect it to pc and on it\012vaccum the barrel of lens\012changing mem. card and batt. for 2min. ...
Nikon Coolpix S210 Digital Camera

Lens error I tried to turn off my camera, (Digital Ixus 60) and the lens froze halfway closed. When I tried to restart the camera, an error comes up on the screen, saying LENS ERROR, RESTART CAMERA. I had this problem before on this camera, but while it was still under warranty. I sent it to be fixed, but now it seems the problem isn't fixed. Is there anything I can do now?

The only thing is, is that it is past it's warranty. THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS DEFECTS, AND FACTORY ERRORS. \015\012\015\012IF THE LENS DOESNT GO BACK IN, THEY CANT FORCE IT AND YOU PAY THE FULL COST OF THE ENTIRE LENS BEING REPLACED AND T ...
Canon PowerShot SD630 Digital ELPH / IXUS 65 Digital Camera

Nikon Coolpix s220...Lens Error. Camera was dropped from like 5 inches. Immediately received the error message screen. The lens is stuck all the way out...I have tried to do some of the above and while twisting the lens slightly got it to take pictures again, I think it may have done more damage because its still makes a buzzing noise when I turn it on and there is black on a portion of the screen like the cover is partially stuck (inside the camera).

Focus error I am from the Caribbean Island of St.Kitts and I was on holiday in London, England in August 2006 and I bought this camera. It worked wonderfully and I took plenty pictures. I had no problems at all with it until now. When the camera was turned on there was a sound coming from the lens area. The lens are open and will not close. On the screen there is the warning display "focus error." Can I get a solution to fixing this problem Screen says focus error , makes noise.

Hi...The transmission system that moves the lens in and out has a problem with it's gears. There is most likely a gear or an actuator that has fallen out of alignment and is getting stuck at a certain point as the lens comes in/out.There is some dist ...
Fuji FinePix A500 Digital Camera

It has a lens error. Everytime the camera is turned on it beeps and clicks constantly. It eventually shuts off after displaying "Lens error, restart camera." on the screen.

This is probably THE most common failure among digital cameras. There's a halfway chance of fixing it yourself, described here: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html ...
Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital Camera

Lens error when trying to power on camera. no dirt in lens. lens extends buzzes retracts and turns and then repeats before fully retracting. Can see camera focusing while cycling and retracting. lens error appears on screen at end of cycle. tried tapping camera and lens body to dislodge dirt as well as compressed air on lens body without success. any ideas?

HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel\012 after dropping it. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.Use\012\012\01 ...
Nikon Coolpix S210 Digital Camera

Lens error, restart camera
telephoto lens is stuck in zoom position and won't retract, so when i turn on camera, screens says "lens error, restart camera", but it won't restart...just keep coming up with same error message

Hello mnickoliThis is a fairly common error especially with the A560.This either means that something is jamming the lens , or that the\015\012lens sensor is faulty. This is a very , if not the most common problem\015\012with modern digit ...
Canon PowerShot A560 Digital Camera

Lens Error My cameras battery was low but I kept taking pictures until the camera shut off by itself. The lens didn't retract all the way and now when I try to turn my camera on it makes a clicking noise like the lens wants to move but it doesn't and on the back screen it states a lens error. I am not sure how to resolve this problem I have charged the battery and taken it out. I unfortunately do not have the manual on me.

I have exactly the same problem with my camera, except there is no error message - just the screen is off (bat is full). i cant find a soultion anywhere in the manual or online. Any help on this would be much appreciated. ...
Casio Exilim EX-S500 Digital Camera

Lens error My zoom will not work. I can take pictures if I don't zoom, but as soon as I try to zoom in, the screen goes black, the camera beeps a few times and a message that says "lens error, restart camera". However, upon restarting the camera, nothing changes - it still won't zoom!. Also, when turning on the camera, when the lens first comes out...it sounds funny, like it is puttering. Help?

Powershot S3 IS: lens error message, lens juddering on startup but not \015\012coming out. Tried all tricks on internet without success, so decided to \015\012dismantle camera. Localised fault to optical position encoder on first \015\012transfer gea ...
Canon PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera

Lens Error When I turn camera on, green light flashes and a message comes on screen: Lens error, restart camera. The lens is permanently out. Have not dropped camera, don't know what's happened and am not very technical so don't even know how to restart camera! Can't find anything in the Basic User Guide to help me.

It is just telling you to try to turn the camera off and back on. This usually doesn't self correct and will need to be serviced. I would call Canon for support and see what the options are for service or upgrade.Hope this helps! ...
Canon PowerShot A460 Digital Camera

My camera worked fine one day, then it was in my purse. When I went to use it the light was on and the screen said there was a lens error. Everytime I try to turn it on now it makes a grinding noise and refuses to open and then closes completely with the lens error reading For no reason my camera (Nikon coolpix model S210) doesn't want to work with the term "Lens error" and lens won't come out

Hope you purchased an extended warranty. I've had two Cannon's with the dreaded lens error. Probably what happened was that while it was in your purse, somehow the power button got pressed. The camera powered up, tried to extend the lens, then str ...
Nikon COOLPIX S200 Digital Camera

Start your question with What, Why, How, When, etc. and end with a "?"